BY A STAFF REPORTERIRVINE, CA – The India Association of Southern California celebrated Diwali on Oct 28 at Haveli Mandir here by hosting a Ram Leela cultural show. Guests were treated to tea and delicious snacks and entertained with live music by Subhash Tolia. The formal program started with the traditional prayer to Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi. Puja was performed by Prakash Pancholi...

accompanied by all IASC committee members and prominent guests.This was followed by a Bharat Natyam dance and `Love for Krishna’ group dance by students of Sankra Dance School. Pasadena-based Sabari Girish took the stage with his group. His Bollywood numbers brought guests to the dance floor.Emcee for the event Dipal Makwana then introduced Dr.Raghavan’s band Indie Beatz, which again brought people to the dance floor.It was then time for the Ram Leela play. Dr Sharma came on stage and narrated the story of Ramayan and focused on the relevance of the Ramayan in modern time. The first play Ram Vanwas was written by IASC Founder Kamini Khare, presenting a one- day scene where Rama was sent to exile. The second play Sita Haran, followed.The show ended with students performing folk dances of Rajasthan.Chairperson for the program Radhika Patel and president Atul Makwana introduced all the IASC committee members and thanked them for their dedication to promote Indian culture among the next generation.Cerritos Pro Tem Mayor Naresh Solanki presented gifts to all participants. Prominent community members Avdhesh Agarwal, Dr. Krishna Reddy, Shuresh Bhatti and Dipakbhai were present at the event .Wrapping up, Khare thanked all for coming and making the event